At MTEC SmartZone, I owned the full marketing and communications function for a economic development organization supporting early-stage companies focusing in technology. That meant writing the newsletter and blog content, producing photography, managing and updating the organization's website, and teaching classes to member companies on marketing fundamentals and website basics specifically with their Advance Materials Manufacturing Program (AMMP) The role required moving fluidly between audiences and formats — translating a startup's technical progress into a compelling newsletter story, then coaching a founder through their own website or marketing plan.
Visit MTEC SmartZone
Visit AMMP Accelerator
One of my favorite side projects started with a comment from our CEO in a group meeting — he mentioned disliking the outdated video displays in our lobby, screens viewed daily by our clients, Michigan Tech staff, investors, and visiting state officials. While the old footage still had value, it no longer captured the energy, beauty, or evolving economic landscape of our region. I decided to refresh it by curating aerial footage I'd captured over the years and editing it into a simple, visually engaging two- to three-minute loop.
We could still pursue a full video production to replace the outdated media down the line but a 30-minute project using footage I already had on hand did the job for the time being. Plus, these landscapes showcase the beauty of this region, a reminder of why people should want to live, work, and invest here.
